MANILA – Filipino center Kai Sotto made most of his stint as Adelaide 36ers starter. They cruised to a 93-82 victory over Tasmania JackJumpers in the 2022-23 NBL season on Monday afternoon at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The Gilas Pilipinas center started for Adelaide for the second straight game as he tallied nine points, three rebounds, two blocks, and one assist to help the home team nab back-to-back wins.
Antonius Cleveland spearheaded the offense for the 36ers with 20 points on 4-of-9 three-point shooting, to go with 10 rebounds, as Anthony Drmic contributed 16 markers off the bench.
Sunday Dech also made his contributions with 12 points and two rebounds, and Robert Franks had 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists as the 36ers improved its win-loss record to 8-8.
It was a close contest for almost the entire game until the 36ers unloaded a massive 24-7 scoring blast behind Cleveland, Drmic, Dech and Franks as they notched their second win of this four-game homestand.
Milton Doyle topscored for Tasmania with 18 points and six boards, Josh Magette chimed in 13 points, six assists, and two rebounds, while Isaac White had 12 points, three boards, and two dimes.
Prior to this victory, the 7-foot-3 Sotto also started at center position for Adelaide in their Adelaide 36ers’ 108-77 blowout victory of Brisbane Bullets last Saturday at the same venue.
Sotto, who played for Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets in UAAP juniors, uncorked 13 points, including a three-pointer, alongside eight rebounds, an assist, and a block in the win that snapped their three-game slide.
This was Sotto’s second year with the 36ers after a forgetful rookie year with the NBL-based squad last year where he was being used sparingly or only during garbage time.
Sotto and Adelaide will try to keep their winning streak going when they tangle with South East Melbourne Phoenix on Christmas Eve at the same venue./PN
